Visitor identification system

Abstract

A portable, self-contained visitor identification system comprising a first camera for recording a first image and a second camera for recording a second image from a piece of identification and a recording device connected to the first video camera and the second video camera for alternatively recording the first image and the second image. A switching mechanism switches the video recording device to record the first image from the first video camera, to subsequently record the second image from the second video camera and then to record the image of the first video camera.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A self contained visitor identification system comprising: a first camera for receiving a first image, said first camera disposed in a first cabinet;   a second camera for receiving a second image from a piece of identification said second camera disposed in a second cabinet comprising at least one substantially horizontal upper surface comprising a transparent window where said second camera is positioned to view an image on said transparent window;   a recording device for recording and storing information, said recording device connected to said first camera and said second camera for recording said first image and said second image; and   means for switching the connections to said recording device to record said first image from said first camera, to subsequently record said second image from said second camera and then to record said image of said first camera.   
     
     
       2. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said recording device records said second image from said second video camera for a predetermined time period. 
     
     
       3. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said recording device subsequently records said second image from said second video camera upon the happening of an event. 
     
     
       4. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said switching means is connected to a motion detector. 
     
     
       5. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 further comprising means for generating at least one generated image for recording with at least one of said images wherein said at least one generated image comprises indicia selected from the group consisting of the date, location, entry number of a visitor and time. 
     
     
       6. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said switching means comprises an actuator and a preset timing device. 
     
     
       7. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said switching means comprises a manual switch. 
     
     
       8. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said recording device records audio from said first camera. 
     
     
       9. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 further comprising a display monitor for selectively displaying said first image, said second image or said first image and said second image. 
     
     
       10. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said first camera is positioned to accurately record a visitor's height and in conjunction with said first image. 
     
     
       11. A visitor identification system according to claim 1 wherein said recording device is a computer. 
     
     
       12. A visitor identification system according to claim 11 wherein said computer is loaded with a software program capable of sorting and retrieving said information and said additional information generally according to a visitor's date of entry, time of entry, entry number, age, sex, height, weight and physical description. 
     
     
       13. A visitor identification system according to claim 11 further comprising a magnetic strip reader for reading additional information from an identification card and transmitting said additional information to said computer. 
     
     
       14. A visitor identification system according to claim 13 wherein said additional information comprises indicia selected from the group consisting of the visitor's age, sex, height, weight and physical description. 
     
     
       15. A visitor identification system according to claim 11 further comprising a laser scanner for reading additional information from an identification card and transmitting said additional information to said computer. 
     
     
       16. A visitor identification system according to claim 15 wherein said additional information is recorded in conjunction with said second image. 
     
     
       17. A visitor identification system according to claim 15 wherein said additional information comprises indicia selected from the group consisting of the visitor's age, sex, height, weight and physical description. 
     
     
       18. A self-contained video identification system comprising: a first camera for recording a first image, said first camera disposed in a first cabinet;   a second camera for recording a second image from a piece of identification, said second camera disposed in a second cabinet comprising at least one substantially horizontal upper surface comprising a transparent window wherein said second camera is positioned to view images on said window;   a playback monitor disposed on said horizontal surface;   a recording device for recording and storing information, said recording device connected to said first camera and said second camera for alternately recording said first image and said second image; and   means for switching said recording device to record said first image from said first camera, to subsequently record said second image from said second camera and then to record said image of said first camera.   
     
     
       19. A visitor identification system according to claim 18 wherein said recording device is a computer. 
     
     
       20. A visitor identification system according to claim 19 wherein said computer is loaded with a software program capable of sorting and retrieving said information and said additional information generally according to a visitor's date of entry, time of entry, entry number, age, sex, height, weight and physical description. 
     
     
       21. A visitor identification system according to claim 19 further comprising a magnetic strip reader for reading additional information from an identification card and transmitting said additional information to said computer. 
     
     
       22. A visitor identification system according to claim 21 wherein said additional information comprises indicia selected from the group consisting of the visitor's age, sex, height, weight and physical description. 
     
     
       23. A visitor identification system according to claim 19 further comprising a laser scanner for reading additional information from an identification card and transmitting said additional information to said computer. 
     
     
       24. A visitor identification system according to claim 23 wherein said additional information is recorded in conjunction with said second image. 
     
     
       25. A visitor identification system according to claim 23 wherein said additional information comprises indicia selected from the group consisting of the visitor's age, sex, height, weight and physical description. 
     
     
       26. A video identification system comprising: a first camera for recording a first image and a second camera for recording a second image wherein at least one of said first camera or said second camera is disposed in at least one cabinet;   one of said at least one cabinets comprising at least one substantially horizontal upper surface comprising a transparent window wherein one of said first camera or said second camera is positioned to view images on said transparent window;   a recording device for recording and storing information, said recording device connected to said first camera and said second camera for alternately recording said first image and said second image; and   means for switching said recording device to record said first image from said first camera, to subsequently record said second image from said second camera and then to record said image of said first camera.   
     
     
       27. A visitor identification system according to claim 26 wherein said second camera and said first camera are positioned in close proximity to one another. 
     
     
       28. A visitor identification system according to claim 26 wherein said second camera is disposed in one of said at least one cabinets and said first camera is positioned in close proximity to said second camera.